The Dragon Boat festival is a traditional holiday that originates from China. While most people associate it with zongzi (rice dumplings), there are many other customs that are unique to this holiday as well. Let’s find out what the profound cultural activities of this special day are! 1、 Eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) Eating zongzi is the most widespread tradition people partake in during the festival. Zongzi comes wrapped in leaves of lotus or banana which forms into the shape of a pyramid and its flavors and taste varies by region. While people in the north prefer sweet zongzi, people in the south prefer more savory zongzi. In addition, different regions have distinct preferences for the filling, such as bean paste, nuts, salted duck egg, sausage, and more. Zongzi symbolizes luck in Chinese culture which is why eating the dish is such a notable custom for this day. 2、 Dragon boat racing Dragon boat racing is also another important folk activity that people engage in during the Dragon Boat Festival, especially in the southern coastal areas. Every year on May 5th of the traditional Chinese calendar, fierce dragon boat racing events take place, making it the most entertaining and interesting festival activity. 3、 Wearing Perfume Pouches Parents often sew little bags using colorful silk cloths which they fill with herbal medicine and string with silk threads. They then hang the pouches around their children’s neck or tie it to their clothing garment which is an act meant to protect their children from evil. 4、 Hanging Mugwort Leaves During the holiday, many families hang mugwort leaves on their doors to keep the evil away. Mugwort leaves are used for medicinal purposes as its pleasant fragrance refreshes the air and deters mosquitoes and other insects. Therefore, people hang mugwort leaves on their doors in the morning of the Dragon Boat Festival to prevent diseases from harming their families. Chinese culture is broad and profound with interesting traditional customs. Apart from the activities mentioned above, do you know any other customs that are particular to the Dragon Boat Festival? If you do, please feel free to comment and share them!